Tuesday, 27 November 2012

For at least the past couple of days there have been two or three Goosander on the small pond in the Whitworth Park in Darley Dale. I assume they have taken to feeding on the small fish in the pond due to the high volume of water in the River Derwent and consequent lack of visibility in the water.Although the Goosander is generally a rather shy bird they can be very confiding on occasion at regular feeding places such as by the bridge in Bakewell.James took this photo at close to dusk.

Saturday, 24 November 2012

One of the great things about living on the side of a valley is that, during the autumn, mist is often trapped in the base of the valley. Not only does this give some great photo opportunities but it is often possible to get out of the mist in to sunshine by ascending just a couple of hundred metres. It was like that this morning.

For at least two weeks there were two Great Grey Shrikes on Beeley Moor, the regular bird around Wraggs Quarry and a second bird found by Ken Smith close to Beeley Triangle.The upper photo is the Wraggs Quarry bird taken this morning and the lower photos is Ken's shot of the Beeley Triangle bird. The latter has pale tips to the greater coverts (or base to the secondaries?), more extensive pale tips to the scapulars and the rump looks noticeably paler than the mantle it also has a more extensive pale base to the bill, it was last reported last weekend. The lower bird shows some of the characteristics of the race 'homeyeri' known as Steppe Shrike and is similar to the bird seen in the Sheffield area in 2010.I've added a couple of shots of the tail which Ken has kindly forwarded on - it looks like the penultimate feathers are black at the base which is more like excubitor than homeyeri.

Saturday, 17 November 2012

At least 80 Waxwing in Darley Dale today although the light was terrible this morning when I saw them. I don't think the berries will last long if the numbers stay at this level. The Great Grey Shrike was still around Wraggs Quarry.

Thursday, 15 November 2012

After the flurry of November Moth records which for me start in early to mid-October and peak towards the end of the month they are quite scarce again before the first of the Autumnal Moths appear in early to mid-November.This is a well marked example with the distinct discal mark well separated from the post-median fascia which is sharply angled around it.In total I caught 34 moths of 11 species last night which included 3 Scarce Umber and a single December Moth.

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

I catch Acleris hyemana occasionally but usually in the late winter after the species has hybernated when they are generally very worn, compare with this Acleris hyemena February 2011. The adults emerge from September onwards so this one is relatively fresh, it's a moorland species and a dare say I would catch it in good numbers if I trapped on the moor at this time of year.

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Actually the same Waxwing but this morning it was a clear blue sky and the 9 Waxwing were still by Costcutter on the A6 so a much better opportunity for photographs. I also saw 22 by the Enthovens factory and the Great Grey Shrike ar Wraggs Quarry so not a bad outing before breakfast.

Saturday, 10 November 2012

I'd noted on Thursday that there was a widespread arrival of Waxwings down the East coast. Initially they were parties of threes and fours but by afternoon there were larger groups and more inland records. On Friday there were reports of small flocks in Bakewell and Belper so I wasn't entirely surprised when I got a message from Alan Stewardson that he had seen a small party by Costcutters on the A6. I got down there for first light this morning and quickly located 9 birds either sat in the tops of the Lime trees on the A6 or feeding on Rowan berries behind the store. the light was terrible but I managed some reasonable shots before heading off to photograph the Grey Seals at Donna Nook.What a fantastic bird the Waxwing is, hopefully they will stay around for a while. A party of 20 was also reported by the Enthoven factory this afternoon.

Saturday, 3 November 2012

A very grey start to the day but caught up with the Great Grey Shrike late morning just as the sun was starting to appear, but it was a long way off. Several parties of Fieldfare including one group of about 150, also a few Brambling but no signs of a flock yet.